A law student, model and trained classical dancer, Kaziah Liz Mejo has already made her mark in pageantry before taking the national crown.
At just 19, Kaziah Liz Mejo has added one of the biggest titles in Indian pageantry to a journey that began during her teenage years. The Kerala-born model and law student was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the grand finale in Jaipur on August 23, defeating contestants from across the country. Her victory also makes her the first Keralite to win the Miss Universe India title.
But the new crown is not Kaziah’s first major pageant achievement. She has previously won Miss Teen Diva 2024, represented India at Miss Teen International 2025 and finished as the first runner-up. She will now take the next step in her journey when she represents India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo?
Kaziah Liz Mejo is a 19-year-old law student and model from Mavelikkara in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. Although she has strong roots in Kerala, she spent her childhood in Abu Dhabi, where she studied at Emirates National School, St Joseph’s School and Abu Dhabi Indian School.
Her years in the UAE gave her exposure to a multicultural environment, while her connection with Kerala remained an important part of her identity. She is currently pursuing a law degree in Bengaluru alongside her modelling and pageant career.
Kaziah also has an extensive background in performing arts. She has trained in classical dance for 12 years and has interests in singing and music. She can play the drums and violin and has also explored public speaking and acting.
Her acting journey began with the Malayalam film Shylock, adding another dimension to her profile beyond pageantry.
Kaziah Liz Mejo’s pageant journey
The Miss Universe India 2026 crown is the latest achievement in a pageant journey that started several years ago.
Kaziah won Miss Teen Diva 2024 at the age of 17. She subsequently represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up. Earlier in 2026, she also won the Miss Universe Kerala title and became the youngest state titleholder.
Her interest in pageantry was reportedly strengthened after she watched Harnaaz Sandhu win Miss Universe in 2021. Kaziah has also spoken about struggling with confidence and appearance-related insecurities while growing up. She said that deliberately working on her communication, personality and overall development helped her become more confident.
Her latest victory therefore marks more than another pageant title. It represents the progression of a teenager who gradually built experience on national and international stages.
What happened at Miss Universe India 2026 finale?
The Miss Universe India 2026 grand finale was held at Zee Studios in Jaipur on August 23. Kaziah Liz Mejo emerged as the winner, with Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Gannesh named the first runner-up and Gujarat’s Anushri Satavlekar finishing as the second runner-up. Vaishnavi will represent India at Miss International 2026. Tejaswini Shrivastava and Anubha Vashist Chaudhary completed the top five as the third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
What question was Kaziah Liz Mejo asked in the Miss Universe India 2026 Event?
One of the questions that drew attention during the finale asked Kaziah:
“Can you describe the sound of silence in your life?”
The question was posed by Rajiv K. Shrivastava, founder of Act Now and director of social projects at the Glamanand Group.
Kaziah connected the idea of silence with the calm she experiences immediately before stepping onto a stage. She described herself as someone who grew up performing as a classical dancer and actor and eventually developed a love for pageantry.
For her, silence was not simply the absence of sound. She associated it with feeling at home, finding calm and knowing that she belonged on the stage. Her answer ended by connecting that feeling to the moment she was representing India.
The finalists were also reportedly given 20 questions and 90 minutes to write their answers during this year’s competition. Kaziah additionally spoke about her understanding of true beauty, describing it through ideas such as conviction, courage, confidence and resilience.
What are Kaziah Liz Mejo’s achievements?
Kaziah has built a diverse profile despite being only 19. Her notable achievements and interests include:
- Winner of Miss Universe India 2026
- Winner of Miss Teen Diva 2024
- First runner-up at Miss Teen International 2025
- Winner of Miss Universe Kerala 2026
- Trained classical dancer with 12 years of experience
- Singer and musician who plays the drums and violin
- Acting debut in the Malayalam film Shylock
- Public speaking experience
- Law student based in Bengaluru
What happens next for Kaziah?
Winning Miss Universe India 2026 has secured Kaziah a place on the international stage. She will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November 2026.
Her upcoming appearance will put her against contestants from around the world, giving the young pageant winner an opportunity to build on the international experience she gained at Miss Teen International in 2025.
For now, Kaziah’s journey from Kerala and Abu Dhabi to the national crown has placed her firmly in the spotlight as she prepares for her biggest pageant assignment yet.
